California Lutheran University students in adjunct professor Nancy Hernandez’s Voice Development class are airing personal narrative pieces on iCLU Radio in a new series, “Through Our Voices.”
The hour-long broadcast, airing once a week, includes 90-second pre-recorded segments from students discussing their “personal stories, moments and memories,” according to the communication major webpage. The series’ remaining dates are Nov. 19 and Nov. 26 from 10-11 a.m. on iCLU Radio, Cal Lutheran’s student radio station.
Hernandez said she surprised students with the class project, which involved writing and recording narrative scripts. She said for a lot of her students, this is their first time producing a personal audio story.
“We all come from different backgrounds and we all have different memories, stories and journeys to share, so I thought, ‘Why not bring this to Cal Lutheran and have my students … create a personal narrative?’” Hernandez said. “It’s very empowering once you find your voice.”
Hernandez said the idea for the class project came from her 25 years of radio broadcasting and journalism experience.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Hernandez is an anchor and producer at iHeart Media’s Total Traffic and Weather Network in Los Angeles. She’s known for her work on local radio stations, including KBIG, KFI and KROQ, in addition to her broadcasting in Spanish-language media.
Hernandez said the communication course, also cross-listed as Voice for the Actor under theatre arts curriculum, prepares students to apply voice acting skills to platforms like radio, film and media.
“There’s just so many ways your voice can be used, and you don’t have to necessarily be a radio broadcaster or a journalist,” Hernandez said. “This is a Voice Development class, we work on voice development and finding your voice. Even if [students] were extremely shy at the beginning, now they’re in a place where they feel comfortable and confident.”
Jason Martin, a sophomore and student in the course, wrote and recorded a personal story about his passion for sports. He said he originally had mixed emotions when he first found out about the project, but was excited to play music during the live broadcast in between students’ segments.
“I was a little bit nervous, but overall, I was kind of excited,” Martin said. “I’m going to do like a rock segment because [of] my dad. I’ve always listened to, like, eighties [and] nineties rock.”
Martin said he already has a planned playlist, featuring bands like Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard and AC/DC.
Quinn Dubrul, a sophomore student in the class, said she wrote a narrative about how running has impacted her life. As a first-time participant in any radio course, she said she hopes her story will resonate with listeners.
“Expectations have, kind of, shaped my running experience. I was always told, ‘You’re going to be a really good runner,’ as a kid,” Dubrul said. “Every year I’ve really struggled with it. I’ve considered quitting. It’s just always this big battle, but like there’s always something that keeps me tied to it.”
Dubrul said, at first, she was nervous about listening to her voice back on recordings, but was able to work on her vocal technique and broadcasting skills in the class. She said Hernandez also covers how to interview, report on weather and sports, and improve vocal tone in the class.
“We really were just getting used to the basics of vocal warm-ups and really just learning how to develop your voice,” Dubrul said.
Dubrul said students in the class receive advice from Hernandez on how to improve delivering their personal stories.
“[Hernandez gives] a lot of feedback regarding like if you sound rushed or nervous, or if you’re a little too slow or if your volume’s too low,” Dubrul said. “Sometimes she’ll play our recordings for the class, and it’s actually really useful”
Hernandez said that the class is built of students from all different backgrounds, including theatre and communication, entering without much to any recording experience.
“Most of them have never walked into a recording studio or recorded anything or written a piece,” Hernandez said. “Some of my students share their personal different perspectives, cultures [and] identities, which I think kind of fosters empathy and inclusion.”
Anyone looking to tune in to “Through Our Voices,” can access the live broadcast through iCLU Radio’s website or the Radio FX app. Hernandez said she hopes to make this series an annual event in her class.
“A lot of the times, college life can be a bit isolating, so it’s nice to connect with someone who is going through something too,” Hernandez said. “Everybody has a battle. Everybody’s going through something or has gone through something, and we have no idea unless these individuals open up and share these stories.”
